Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin says security at the Malaysia-Thailand border will be stepped up following incidents in southern Thailand.
BUKIT KAYU HITAM: Security controls at the Malaysia-Thailand border will be stepped up following developments and incidents in southern Thailand, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said the move was vital to ensure the nation’s security and sovereignty were preserved and to prevent any untoward incidents from spilling over into Malaysia’s border areas.
“We are doing this not just because of activities like crime and smuggling, but also considering the incidents and current situation in southern Thailand.
“So, we want to ensure our country remains safe and can avoid any possible untoward incidents,” he told reporters after a working visit to the 5th Battalion of the Border Regiment (5 RS) at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Camp here today.
Mohamed Khaled said 5 RS, which was specifically established to guard the country’s borders, played a crucial role in ensuring Malaysia’s sovereignty, especially at the Malaysia-Thailand border, remained protected.
He said border controls were carried out continuously, 24 hours a day, year-round, through patrols and operations conducted with other security agencies.
Regarding the strength of 5 RS, he said the number of personnel at the camp was currently sufficient to carry out its responsibilities, considering border control operations from Perlis to Kelantan also involved several other Army camps.
According to him, border control operations are carried out on a rotational basis by personnel from several camps, including those in Gerik, Perak and Kelantan, to ensure their capacity and readiness remain high.
The rotational approach, he added, was also vital to ensure personnel from various Army formations and camps gained experience and competency in conducting border control operations.
Meanwhile, in his speech at the event, Mohamed Khaled said the Defence Ministry would prepare a Cabinet memorandum to expedite the allocation for the camp’s development.
He said the memorandum would include the comprehensive development of the camp and the construction of 205 Armed Forces Family Housing (RKAT) units.
“For the RKAT, we have planned and submitted it to the Public-Private Partnership Unit (UKAS), and we are asking the government to expedite the approval so that married personnel can live in one area,” he said.
During the working visit, Mohamed Khaled was also briefed on the camp’s development, border operations and security, as well as the important role of 5 RS in ensuring the nation’s sovereignty and border security remained at the highest level.
He then inspected the construction of 10 new accommodation blocks at the camp, a project that began on June 20, 2024, and was fully completed on Feb 13 at a total cost of RM44.87 million.
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